QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

FOK 


Mission  Circles  and  Bands. 


PRICE,  FIVE  CENT8. 


1894. 

PHILADELPHIA  : 

WOMAN’S  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 
OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

No.  1XU  Chestnut  Street. 


P E 11 S I A . 


QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 


FOR 


Mission  Circles  and  Bands. 


PRICE,  FIVE  CENTS. 


1894. 

PHILADELPHIA  : 

WOMAN’S  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 
OF  THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH. 

No.  1331  Chestnut  Street. 


PERSIA 


QUESTIONS  AND  ANSWERS 

FOR 

MISSION  CIRCLES  AND  BANDS. 


1.  Where  is  Persia? 

In  the  western  part  of  Asia,  extending  from 
Russia  and  the  Caspian  Sea  on  the  north,  to  the 
Persian  Gulf  and  Arabian  Sea  on  the  south,  and 
from  Beloochistan  and  Afghanistan  on  the  east, 
to  Turkey  on  the  west. 

2.  What  interesting  historical  associations  has 
this  land? 

History  and  science  combine  with  the  testi- 
mony of  Scripture  to  point  out  this  region  as  the 
cradle  of  our  race.  Persia  is  notably  a Bible 
land.  To  it  belonged  Cyrus  the  Great,  Darius, 
his  son  Xerxes  (the  Ahasuerus  of  Ezra),  Arta- 
xerxes,  Esther,  Mordecai,  and  the  wise  men 
who  were  the  firsfof  the  Gentile  world  to  greet 
and  worship  the  Messiah.  When  Assyria  had 


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led  the  Jews  captive  to  Babylon,  it  was  Persia 
which  humbled  that  power  and  restored  Judah 
to  her  native  land. 

3.  By  what  other  name  is  Persia  now  known  ? 

The  national  emblems  of  the  empire  are  the 
lion  and  the  sun,  hence  it  is  sometimes  called 
“The  Land  of  the  Lion  and  the  Sun.”  The 
Persians  call  their  country  Iran. 

4.  How  do  missionaries  go  to  Persia  ? 

The  most  common  route  now  is  from  New 
York  via  England,  Germany,  across  Europe  to 
Odessa  or  Constantinople,  then  by  steamer 
across  the  Black  Sea  to  Batonm,  Russia,  thence 
by  sail  to  Titlis,  the  capital  of  ancient  Georgia. 
A week’s  journey  through  Armenia  takes  the 
traveler  to  the  northern  frontier.  To  Southern 
Persia  one  can  go  via  the  Red  Sea  and  Persian 
Gulf,  and  to  the  north  central  part  cm  the  Cas- 
pian Sea.  The  journey  occupies  between  two 
and  three  months. 

5.  What  is  the  area  of  modern  Persia? 

About  CIO, 000  square  miles. 

6.  What  is  the  population? 

The  census  is  not  accurate,  but  late  estimates 
give  the  population  at  8,000,000.  Of  this  num- 
ber 23,000  are  Nestorians,  19,000  Jews,  43,000 
Armenians,  675,000  Koords  and  Sikhs.  The 


remainder  of  the  population  comprises  Arabs, 
Turks,  Bohemians,  Parsecs  and  Persians. 

7.  What  is  the  capital  of  the  kingdom  ? 
Teheran,  situated  in  the  northern  central  part 

of  the  Empire,  with  a population  of  160,000. 
The  city  has  a background  of  magnificent 
mountains  and  in  consequence  presents  rather 
a flat  appearance  to  the  traveler.  Its  principal 
feature  is  the  number  of  its  gates  covered  with 
colored  tiles  arranged  in  elaborate  patterns. 

8.  Is  Teheran  entirely  an  oriental  city? 

Among  its  monotonous  mud-built  houses 

occasionally  one  of  European  architecture  is 
found  The  Boulevard  des  Ambassadors  is  a 
long  straight  avenue  with  overarching  trees 
lighted  by  gas  and  liued  with  shops  with  Euro- 
pean furniture  and  glass  for  sale,  all  of  which 
has  been  transported  on  beasts  of  burden  over 
the  Khargan  Pass.  Teheran  also  possesses  a 
tramway,  and  the  only  railroad  in  Persia  ex- 
tending to  the  tomb  of  Shah  Abdul  Azirn,  s.x 
miles  from  the  city. 

9.  What  is  the  largest  city? 

Tabriz,  which  contains  170,000  inhabitants. 
The  great  importance  of  Tabriz  is  its  com- 
mercial position.  It  is  the  centre  of  an  impor- 
tant traffic  between  Turkey,  Russia  and  Persia. 
The  bazaars  consist  of  rows  of  arched  corridors. 
Every  trade  has  a separate  quarter. 


6 


10.  Describe  the  surface  of  the  country  and 
the  climate? 

The  basin  of  Lake  Oroomiah  is  a splendid  re- 
gion, -well  watered,  having  a climate  and  soil 
hardly  excelled  anywhere,  and  producing  almost 
every  growth  of  the  temperate  zone.  On  the 
Persian  Gulf  it  is  low,  sandy,  and  very  hot. 
Along  the  Caspian  Sea  the  region  is  tropical  in 
its  fruits  and  verdure.  Elsewhere  the  kingdom 
presents  an  immense  plateau,  with  pure  and 
bracing  air,  with  mountains  breaking  up  the 
surface  in  all  directions,  with  vales  of  beauty, 
prairies  of  arable  land,  and  vast  salt  deserts. 
On  the  whole,  it  is  a poor  country,  dry  and 
thirsty,  parched  by  the  drought  in  summer  and 
desolate  in  winter. 

11.  What  are  the  products  of  Persia? 

Wheat,  barley  and  other  cereals  are  grown  in 

great  perfection,  also  sugar  cane,  rice,  tobacco, 
opium,  cotton,  madder  roots,  henna  and  other 
dyes. 

12.  Tell  something  of  the  fruits  and  flowers. 

Apples,  pears,  water  melons,  musk-melons, 

grapes,  dates,  olives,  peaches,  plums,  figs  and 
nectarines  are  found  in  great  profusion  and  so 
cheap  as  to  be  within  the  reach  of  the  poorest 
inhabitant.  Among  the  flowers  are  the  rose, 
marigold,  chrysanthemum,  hollyhock,  iris, 
aster,  tulip,  narcissus,  tuberose,  convolvulus, 


7 


dahlia,  white  lily,  hyacinth  and  violet.  In  some 
localities  the  roses  are  cultivated  in  fields  for  the 
manufacture  of  rose-water.  The  double-colored 
orange  rose  is  exceptionally  attractive  and 
fragrant. 

13.  Tell  something  about  the  animal  life. 

The  horse,  mule,  camel,  sheep,  goat,  dog  and 

cat  are  the  principal  domestic  animals.  Among 
the  wild  animals  are  the  lion,  tiger,  leopard, 
wolf,  fox,  hare,  wild  cat,  gazelle  and  mountain 
goat.  The  pelican,  flamingo,  stork  and  num- 
berless smaller  birds  are  common.  Centipedes, 
tarantulas  and  scorpions  are  numerous  and 
troublesome. 

14.  What  are  the  chief  industries? 

The  people  are  largely  employed  in  agricul- 
ture and  herding.  The  manufacture  of  opium 
is  increasing  steadily,  while  the  silk  trade  is  de- 
creasing in  some  localities.  Carpets  are  made  in 
many  parts  of  Persia.  The  finest  in  Kurdistan  ; 
these  represent  a field  of  wild  flowers  in  spring 
with  a border  of  brighter  color  than  the  centre. 
They  are  made  without  any  machinery,  the 
loom  being  simply  a frame  on  which  the  warp  is 
stretched.  The  celebrated  shawls  of  Kerman 
are  also  woven  by  band  and  are  made  of  the 
wool  of  a white  goat.  Wood-carving,  silk  em- 
broidery and  engraving  on  metal  are  branches 
of  Persian  industry. 


8 


15.  Describe  the  Persian  houses. 

The  houses  of  the  poor  people  contain  one 
long  room  with  a door  in  one  end,  no  window, 
and  a conical  opening  in  the  roof  for  the  smoke 
to  escape  and  the  light  to  enter.  The  roofs  are 
flat  and  in  summer  the  people  sleep  upon  them. 
The  rich  live  in  well-built  two-story  houses. 
One  and  a half  million  of  the  population  live  in 
tents  during  the  summer.  The  Persians  use  no 
furniture  ; they  eat,  sit  and  sleep  on  the  floors, 
which  are  made  of  hard,  smooth  earth,  covered 
with  matting  and  carpet.  The  houses  are  sepa- 
rated by  narrow  streets  and  the  cities  surrounded 
by  high  mud  walls. 

10.  How  do  the  Persians  travel? 

Almost  entirely  on  horseback.  There  is  only 
one  short  railroad,  that  from  Teheran,  and  very 
few  carriage  roads.  Merchandise  is  carried  on 
the  backs  of  camels,  oxen,  donkeys  and  horses. 

17.  Describe  the  Persian  men. 

They  have  fine  forms,  good  features,  large 
dark  eyes,  dark  complexions,  and  black  hair. 
They  are  fond  of  dress  ami  show,  very  polite, 
hospitable  and  obliging.  They  are  kind  to  their 
children,  respectful  to  their  parents,  particularly 
the  father,  in  whose  presence  they  rarely  sit. 
The  advice  of  the  mother  is  always  taken,  and 
an  undutiful  child  is  hardly  known.  Respect  is 
pnid  to  the  aged,  and  the  support  of  parents  is 


9 


never  looked  on  as  a burden.  But  as  a race 
they  are  untruthful  aud  procrastinating. 

18.  How  do  the  men  dress  ? 

They  wear  an  unstarched  blue  or  white  cottou 
shirt,  with  loose  sleeves.  Their  trousers  are 
made  of  cloth  among  the  higher  classes,  but  for 
others,  cotton  material  is  used  aud  the  garments 
are  loose  aud  baggy.  This  enables  the  wearer 
to  sit  on  his  heels,  chairs  being  only  used  by  the 
rich.  Over  the  shirt  is  worn  a vest  of  quilted 
chintz,  then  a coat  of  colored  calico,  silk,  satin 
or  velvet,  according  to  the  wealth  of  the  wearer. 
The  Kulah  or  hat  is  of  cloth  or  sheepskin  on  a 
pasteboard  frame  and  is  sometimes  very  tall. 
The  fashions  in  these  change  yearly.  The 
Mohammedan  men  shave  the  head,  except  a 
small  tuft  of  hair  on  the  top  and  behind  each  ear. 
All  dye  the  hair,  beard  and  finger  tips  red  with 
Henna. 

19.  Tell  something  about  the  women  ot 
Persia. 

As  they  are  ignorant  and  superstitious,  the 
moral  tone  is  low.  Few  know  how  to  read  ; all 
smoke  the  pipe.  They  are  married  at  the  age  of 
twelve,  aud  are  regarded  as  inferiors  by  their 
husbands. 

20.  How  do  the  women  dress? 

In  the  house  the  women  wear  a sleeveless  un- 


10 


dergarment,  of  blue  or  white  cotton,  sometimes 
of  silk,  with  innumerable  short  wide  skirts  of 
silk  or  gay  chintz.  With  these  a short  jacket  of 
a bright  color  is  worn,  and  the  head  is  covered 
with  a square  of  silk  or  cotton.  The  hair  is 
generally  dyed  red  or  blue-black.  Every  woman 
possesses  many  necklaces,  bracelets  and  chains. 
The  outdoor  costume  of  the  women  is  quite 
another  thing.  Enveloped  in  a huge  blue  sheet 
with  a yard  of  linen  as  a veil,  perforated  for  two 
iuclies  square  with  minute  holes,  the  feet  thrust 
into  two  huge  bags  of  colored  stuff,  a woman  is 
perfectly  unrecognizable  out  of  doors.  The 
children  as  soon  as  they  can  walk  are  dressed 
like  little  men  and  women. 

21.  Tell  something  about  education  in  Persia. 

Every  city  or  town  has  its  schools  for  boys 

held  in  the  mosques  and  taught  by  the  Mullahs. 
The  children  study  aloud  and  can  be  heard  a* 
half  a block  away.  They  are  all  taught  to  read 
in  Persian  and  Arabic ; some  of  them  learn  to 
write,  and  the  use  of  figures.  The  instruction  in 
the  Royal  College  at  Teheran  is  thorough  ; the 
rudiments  of  a liberal  education  are  taught  by 
English  and  French  professors  to  three  hundred 
students. 

22.  Have  the  Persians  any  literature? 

There  are  few  books  of  any  kind.  The 

ancient  poetry  is  the  principal  literature  and 


11 


the  quoting  of  poetry  is  universal,  being  fre- 
quently introduced  into  conversation.  Books 
are  highly  valued  and  are  bound  in  elaborately 
decorated  boards. 

23.  Are  the  women  educated? 

There  are  no  schools  for  girls,  but  the  daugh- 
ters of  the  rich  are  sometimes  taught  to  read 
and  write,  and  to  recite  poetry.  The  policy  of 
the  Mohammedan  is  “ not  to  open  the  eyes  of  a 
woman  too  wide.” 

24.  Have  the  Persians  any  knowledge  of 
science  ? 

The  sciences  are  not  known,  but  astrology  is 
a common  study,  and  no  work  or  journey  is 
undertaken  without  consulting  the  astrologers. 
They  have  no  knowledge  of  medicine  and  no 
physicians. 

25.  Are  there  any  periodicals  ? 

One  weekly  newspaper  is  published  in  the 
Capital.  The  only  other  periodical  in  the  whole 
empire  is  the  “Rays  of  Light,”  issued  in  Syriac 
by  the  mission  press  in  Oroomiah. 

26.  How  do  the  Persians  reckon  the  days  of 
the  month? 

By  the  lunar  months  of  twenty-eight  days. 

27.  What  is  the  form  of  government? 

The  Shah  of  Persia  is  regarded  as  the  vice- 


12 


gerent  of  Mohammed,  and  as  such  demands 
implicit  obedience.  The  government  is  there- 
fore an  absolute  despotism.  The  country  is 
divided  into  four  large  and  six  smaller  portions, 
each  of  which  is  ruled  by  a governor  appointed 
by  the  Shah.  These  governors  have  nearly 
equal  power  in  their  jurisdiction.  The  inse- 
curity of  life  and  property  hinders  civilization  ; 
the  taxes  are  irregular  and  excessive.  The 
present  emperor,  Nasru’d-rin  Shah,  ascended 
the  throne  in  1848  at  the  age  of  eighteen. 

28.  Tell  something  about  the  modes  of  pun- 
ishment used  by  the  government. 

Capital  punishment  is  common,  and  is  some- 
times indicted  by  blowing  from  the  mouth  of  a 
cannon  or  cutting  the  throat.  The  bastinado  is 
used.  In  the  year  1877,  twenty  highwaymen 
were  captured  at  Shiraz.  Nine  escaped  by 
bribery,  but  eleven  were  walled  up  alive.  Each 
man  was  plnced  in  a pillar  and  a quantity  of 
mortar  was  plastered  over  the  top  of  each  col- 
umn. At  the  end  of  two  days  the  men  were 
heard  crying  for  water,  when  the  executioner 
put  an  end  to  their  misery  by  cutting  their 
throats.  A young  slave  who  had  accidentally 
shot  his  master’s  son,  was  nailed  to  a wall  and 
lived  fifty  hours  before  his  sufferings  were 
ended. 


13 


29.  What  1ms  been  sukl  by  a resident  of  Persia 
concerning  the  state  of  the  country  i 

“The  plague  of  the  land  is  a bad  govern- 
ment, the  plague  of  the  government  is  a bad 
people,  and  the  plague  of  the  people  is  au  un- 
productive soil.  The  people  are  soiely  op- 
pressed and  impoverished.” 

30.  What  are  the  languages  of  Persia? 

The  inhabitants  are  of  various  nations,  each 
speaking  its  own  language  aud  wearing  its  own 
national  dress.  The  Persians  propel  speak  Per- 
sian and  Turkish.  The  Koords  speak  the  Koor- 
dish,  the  Armenians  the'  Armenian,  the  Jews 
the  Hebrew,  and  the  Nestorians  the  Syriac. 
The  Turkish  language  is  chiefly  used  in  busi- 
ness, and  the  Persiun  is  used  at  court.  This 
language  is  so  beautiful  and  rich  in  its  idioms 
and  tones  that  Mohammed  said  he  would  ask 
that  it  might  be  the  language  of  ParrfQisc. 

31.  Who  are  the  Koords? 

They  are  the  mountain  tribes  of  Koordistan, 
and  are  a wild,  lawless  people,  much  given  to 
robbery  and  making  raids  on  other  tribes  or 
villages  of  the  plain.  Their  language  is  an  old 
Persian  patois  called  the  Kermanji.  The  New 
Testament  was  printed  in  this  language  at  Con- 
stantinople in  1857.  Over  one  million  of  the 
Koords  are  subjects  of  the  Sultan  of  Turkey. 


14 


The  great  body  of  the  nation  belong  to  the 
Sunni  sect  of  Mohammedans. 

32.  Who  are  the  Nestorians  ? 

The  Nestorians  derive  their  name  from  Nes- 
torius,  patriarch  of  Constantinople,  who  lived 
about  A.D.  428.  He  wTas  deposed  for  heresy, 
but  bis  followers  found  toleration  in  Persia. 
The  Nestorians  of  the  present  day  are  settled  on 
Turkish  soil,  mainly  in  Koordistan,  and  on  Per- 
sian soil  in  the  fertile  plain  to  the  w?est  of  Lake 
Oroomiah.  The  date  of  their  settlement  in  this 
district  is  not  known,  but  as  early  as  1111  A.D. 
Oroomiah  is  mentioned  as  the  see  of  a Nestorian 
bishop.  They  have  clung  to  their  Bibles  with  a 
desperate  tenacity,  and  reverence  them  as  the 
very  Word  of  God.  They  tolerate  no  pictures, 
images,  crucifixes,  confessionals,  nor  worship- 
ing of  the  Host ; but  the  masses  of  the  people 
are  very  ignorant,  degraded  and  superstitious, 
leaving  the  care  of  their  souls  for  the  most  part 
to  the  priests,  and  having  no  just  conception  of 
the  character  and  work  of  Jesus  Christ.  Part 
of  them  acknowledge  the  supremacy  of  the 
Pope  of  Rome,  and  are  known  as  Chaldeans. 

33.  Who  are  the  Armenians? 

They  are  a Christian  sect,  and  are  found  in 
ancient  Armenia,  with  Tabriz  as  their  centre. 
They  adhere  to  the  seven  sacraments  of  the 
Roman  Church,  perform  baptism  by  immersion, 


15 


believe  in  tbe  mediation  of  saints  and  the  wor- 
ship of  images.  Their  name  and  some  remnant 
of  their  ancient  faith  survives,  but  their  ignor- 
ance and  superstition  and  spiritual  darkness  are 
almost  incredible.  Even  the  priests  can  scarcely 
mumble  through  the  appointed  prayers  in  the 
dead  language,  and  cannot  translate  a single 
word. 

84.  Tell  something  about  Mohammedanism  in 
Persia. 

It  has  existed  under  two  forms — as  the  ortho- 
dox or  Sunni  system  until  1492  A.D.,  and  since 
that  time  as  the  heterodox  or  Shiah  system,  the 
peculiarity  of  which  is  that  it  regards  Ali,  the 
son-in  law  and  cousin  of  Mohammed,  as  the 
only  proper  heir  and  successor  of  the  prophet. 
In  their  call  to  prayer  they  say,  “Mohammed  is 
the  prophet  of  God  and  Ali  the  vicar  of  God.” 
This  breach  from  the  regular  faith  has  caused 
much  contention  between  the  Turks  and  Per- 
sians. The  Persians  are  more  liberal  than  the 
other  Mohammedan  nations.  It  is  an  almost 
unheard-of  thing  for  an  Arab  or  a Turk  to  dis- 
cuss his  religion  with  a Christian,  but  the  Per- 
sian enjoys  it.  In  Persia  the  Moslem  system  is 
divided  against  itself  more  than  in  any  other 
land.  The  people  originally  received  it  at  the 
hands  of  their  conquerors,  and  with  a vigorous 
protest ; and  they  have  never  been  content  un- 
der it. 


1G 


35.  What  has  been  the  effect  of  Mohammed- 
anism ? 

It  has  done  nothing  for  the  people  except  to 
curse  them.  It  knows  no  sympathy  or  charity. 
Its  priesthood  is  vile  and  profligate  and  rapa- 
cious. It  denies  the  Trinity,  the  Bible,  the  in- 
carnation, and  teaches  formalism,  self-righteous- 
ness and  pride.  It  knows  no  heaven  except  an 
abode  of  sensual  pleasures.  It  has  oppressed 
and  degraded  the  people,  so  that  they  are  open 
to  missionary  effort  beyond  any  other  Moslem 
population,  and  results  have  been  realized  from 
the  limited  work  done  among  them  beyond  ex- 
pectation. 

36.  What  characterizes  a Persian  mosque  ? 
There  is  nothing  to  distract  the  mind  from 

prayer ; the  only  furniture  is  the  pulpit,  the 
floor  is  covered  with  coarse  matting  made  of 
reedy  grass.  At  night  those  who  have  no  home 
frequently  sleep  in  the  mosques. 

37.  Do  the  Persians  observe  the  Sabbath  ? 

Yes.  Friday  is  the  Moslem  Sabbath,  and  the 

Armenians  observe  our  Sabbath. 

38.  When  is  the  Persian  New  Year? 

About  the  middle  of  March  ; it  is  observed  by 

feasting  and  visiting. 

39.  What  is  the  “ Call  to  Prayer?” 

A call  given  by  the  muezzins  from  the  roofs  of 


17 


the  mosques,  three  times  a day  ; at  daylight, 
noon  and  dusk. 


40.  What  is  the  Ramazan  ? 

A month  of  fasting  observed  by  the  Moham- 
medans, when  each  one  is  obliged  by  law  to  ab- 
stain from  food  and  drink,  lrom  dawn  until 
dark.  Nothing  must  pass  the  lips  till  the  sunset 
gun,  but  the  night  can  be  spent  in  eating  aiu 
drinking.  While  this  is  easy  for  the  rich,  as  they 
can  sleep  all  day,  it  is  a heavy  burden  on  the 
poor  who  must  work  in  the  day,  especially  if 
the  fast  comes  during  the  farming  season.  1 be 
months  being  lunar,  in  course  of  time  the 
Ramazan  would  rotate  through  the  year.  -Many 
observe  this  fast  faithfully,  but  often  lrom  fear 
of  persecution. 


41.  What  is  the  Moharrem  1 
A month  devoted  to  mourning  for  the  persecu- 
tion and  murder  of  Hassanand  Hosain.  grandsons 
of  Mohammed.  Processions,  public  readings, 
exciting  shouts  and  scenic  representations  in- 
furiate the  “believers,”  until  they  are  ready  to 
suffer  death  themselves  and  perpetrate  inhuman 
tortures  on  imagined  enemies. 


18 


MISSIONS. 

42.  Who  were  the  first  missionaries  in  Persia? 

The  Roman  Church  was  first  in  the  field,  its 

efforts  dating  back  to  the  fourteenth  century. 
Later  on,  they  tried  to  proselyte  the  Armenians, 
but  a small  church  in  Ispahan  is  the  chief  exist- 
ing result  of  centuries  of  labor. 

43.  Who  were  the  early  Protestant  mission- 
aries ? 

Modern  Protestant  missions  date  from  1811, 
when  Henry  Martyn,  passing  from  India,  took 
up  his  abode  in  Persia,  and  spent  about  eleven 
months  in  Shiraz.  Here  he  gave  bold  and  fre- 
quent testimony  to  Christ  before  the  Moham- 
medans, and  translated  the  New  Testament  and 
Psalms  into  Persian.  The  next  laborer  was  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Pfander,  of  Germany,  whose  most  im- 
portant work  was  a book  called  the  “Balance 
of  Truth,”  which  is  still  doing  a good  work 
among  the  skeptical  Moslems.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  other  Germans,  who  after  four  years 
of  labor  were  obliged  to  leave  the  country.  In 
1838,  Rev.  William  Glen,  of  Scotland,  entered 
the  field.  He  had  already  spent  many  years  on 
a translation  of  the  Old  Testament  into  the 
Persian  language.  This  work  he  completed  in 
1847,  and,  combining  his  translation  with  that 
of  Henry  Martyn,  he  returned  to  Scotlaud  to 
superintend  the  printing  ofthem,  and  at  the  age 


19 


of  seventy  went  back  to  Persia  to  aid  in  circu- 
lating the  Scriptures. 

44.  Give  a brief  history  of  tlie  beginning  of 
American  Missions  in  Persia. 

In  1829,  Rev.  Messrs.  Smith  and  Dwight  were 
sent  by  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners 
for  Foreign  Missions,  to  explore  the  regions  of 
northwest  Persia.  Their  hearts  were  drawn 
out  towards  the  Nestorians  on  the  plain  about 
Lake  Oroomiah,  and  the  American  Board  de- 
termined to  establish  a mission  in  Persia  with 
special  reference  to  Nestorians.  In  1833,  Justin 
Perkins,  a tutor  in  Amherst  College,  was  ap- 
pointed the  first  missionary,  and  sailed,  with  his 
wife,  in  September  of  that  year.  About  a year 
later  they  reached  Tabriz,  and  soon  after  occu- 
pied Oroomiah  as  a Mission  Station.  Dr.  Per- 
kins reduced  the  language  of  the  Nestorians  to 
writing. 

45.  When  was  the  first  school  opened  ? 

The  first  school  was  opened  in  183G,  in  a 
cellar,  with  seven  small  boys  in  attendance. 
On  the  next  day  there  were  seventeen.  That 
school  was  the  germ  of  the  Oroomiah  college, 
which  has  since  sent  forth  scores  of  preachers 
and  teachers  among  the  people.  During  1893 
the  students  in  attendance  numbered  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-three  ; thirteen  of  these  are  in 
the  theological  class. 


20 


About  two  years  later,  Mrs.  Grant  gathered  a 
few  little  girls  as  the  beginning  of  a girls’ 
school,  which  was  transformed  into  a boarding 
school  by  Fidelia  Fiske,  and  is  now  known  ag 
Fiske  Seminary,  with  nearly  two  hundred 
scholars. 

4G.  When  -was  the  mission  press  sent  to 
Persia  ? 

In  1839  a printing  press  was  sent  to  Oroomiah 
and  was  regarded  with  great  interest  and  won- 
der by  the  people.  Besides  the  Bible,  which 
has  been  issued  in  many  forms,  numerous 
works,  such  as  “The  Pilgrim’s  Progress,” 
“The  Saint’s  Rest,”  “Rise  and  Progress  of 
Religion  in  the  Soul,”  church  history,  hymn 
books,  geographies,  theological  lectures,  etc., 
have  been  given  to  the  people.  The  Inter- 
national Sunday-school  Lesson  Leaves  and  a 
monthly  religious  newspaper  are  widely  circu- 
lated. 

47.  Flow  do  Ncstorians  regard  the  Scriptures? 

With  the  greatest  reverence  and  affection. 
Their  ancient  Syriac  translation,  known  as  the 
Peshito,  is  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  faithful 
versions.  Upon  this  the  first  American  mis- 
sionaries based  their  translation  into  the  modern 
Syriac  spoken  by  the  Nestorians.  This  trans- 
lation has  been  thoroughly  revised,  and  in  1893  a 
new  edition  in  one  volume  was  printed  by  the 


21 


American  Bible  Society,  and  joyfully  received 
by  the  people. 

4S  When  was  this  mission  transferred  to  the 
B^rdof  Foreign  Mission.*  .be  Presbyterian 
Church? 

In  1871,  at  which  time  there  were  one  > 

sand  communicants  connected  rrillt  thecburcbes. 

49.  Name  the  stations  in  connection  with  the 
Presbyterian  Church. 

In  the  Western  Persian  Mission  Oroomtah,  , 
Tabriz,  Salmas,  and  Mo.nl,  in  Turkey  ; m be 
Eastern  Persian  Mission,  Teheran,  and  Hama 

dan. 

50.  What  is  the  present  outlook  ot  the  wot  v 
at  Oroomiuh? 

Preaching  is  steadily  maintained  in  the  city 
and  at  the  outstations.  Educational  wor  is 
carried  on  in  Oroomiah  College Senu- 
narv  and  the  village  schools.  In  the  colle 
d seminary  arc  industrial  acp».'.mect,  g.™S 
nunils  an  opportunity  of  self  support  The 
£ e Woman  s Work  ami  Medical  Work  bare 
becacariiml  on  upon  .be  usual  lines  *.» .suc- 
cess A.  Westminster  Hospital  hundreds  o 
patients  are  treated  yearly  and  medical  students 
are  traiued. 

51.  Tell  something  of  the  work  at  Tabriz. 
This  station  has  been  occupied  since  1873. 


22 


The  missionaries  have  met  with  more  opposi- 
tion here  than  at  any  other  point.  This  was 
caused  by  t lie  Armenian  priests.  Notwith- 
standing opposition,  a large  number  have  con- 
fessed Christ,  a girls’  boarding  school  and  a 
boys’  school  have  been  established.  Last  year 
in  the  midst  of  success  the  government  ordered 
the  boys’  school  closed  and  sealed.  When  it 
was  re-opened  under  imperative  orders  from 
Teheran,  the  pupils  again  returned  and  confi- 
dence was  restored.  Much  attention  is  given 
at  Tabriz  to  medical  work  for  women. 

52.  Is  the  work  at  Salmas  encouraging? 

This  station,  occupied  in  1884,  is  the  centre  of 
the  largest  Armenian  and  Papal  Nestorian 
population  of  Persia.  Opposition  to  mission- 
aries aud  teachers  has  died  out,  and  the  church 
and  school  give  promise  of  vigor  and  great  use- 
fulness. Five  outstations  are  maintained  in 
connection  with  this  station. 

53.  When  was  Mosul  occupied  as  a mission 
station  ? 

In  1889.  It  is  a mountain  station  among  the 
Kurds,  and  though  in  Eastern  Turkey  is  under 
the  control  of  the  Persian  Mission.  One  of  the 
most  serious  hindrances  to  the  work  in  the 
mountains  is  the  spirit  of  lawlessness  and  official 
corruption  which  prevails.  The  usual  preach- 
ing and  educational  work  is  carried  on.  The 


23 


total  membership  of  all  the  churches  connected 
with  this  station  is  224  and  the  Sabbath  -school 
membership  474.  The  children  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church  have  made  generous  provision 
for  the  building  of  two  missionary  residences  in 
Mosul. 

54.  What  do  you  know  of  Teheran  ? 

Teheran  was  opened  in  1872,  by  Ilev.  James 

Bassett.  There  is  now  a church,  a girls’  board- 
ing school,  a primary  school,  and  several 
schools  for  boys.  Medical  work  is  also  success- 
fully established  bere,  the  new  hospital  being 
opened  Sept.  20,  1893.  The  work  in  the  Jewish 
quarter  is  one  of  the  features  of  this  mission. 

55.  Give  an  account  of  the  mission  at  Ilama- 
dan. 

This  ancient  city  is  supposed  to  occupy  the 
site  of  Ecbatana  (Ezra  vi.  2),  where  Darius 
found  the  roll  with  the  decree  of  Cyrus  for 
rebuilding  the  house  of  God  at  Jerusalem. 
Work  is  carried  on  here  among  two  classes,  the 
Armenians  and  the  Jews.  Among  the  former 
there  is  an  organized  church  and  a girls’  school 
of  ninety -three  boarding  and  day  pupils. 
Schools  for  Jewish  boys  and  girls  have  been 
established  and  give  promise  of  large  success. 
The  boys’  high  school,  closed  several  times  by 
order  of  the  government,  had  in  1893  110  pupils. 
The  new  church  building,  towards  which  the 


24 


Shah  contributed  400  toman*,  is  completed,  and 
regularly  occupied  for  religious  worship.  Two 
oulstations  are  connected  with  the  work  at 
Hamadan.  . The  reports  of  work  among  the 
women  and  medical  work  are  gratifying. 

56.  Do  the  children  in  our  mission  schools 
learn  rapidly  ? 

They  compare  favorably  in  this  respect  with 
American  children,  when  taught  in  early  child- 
hood 

57.  How  many  children  are  in  the  schools? 

In  both  boarding  and  day  schools  about  3500 

pupils. 

58.  What  are  they  taught? 

The  common  school  branches,  with  especial 
attention  to  moral  and  religious  training.  In 
the  boarding  schools,  girls  arc  also  taught  sew- 
ing and  housework  and  the  boys  a trade  if 
possible. 

59.  Are  the  children  taught  English? 

In  some  of  the  schools  there  are  English 
classes,  but  nearly  all  the  instruction  is  given 
in  the  language  of  the  country. 

60.  How  many  communicants  are  there  in  the 
Presbyterian  Church  in  Persia? 

There  are  2697. 


25 


61.  Are  there  any  other  missions  besides  the 
Presbyterian  ? 

The  Church  of  England  has  a mission  at 
Ispahan  and  one  at  Oroomiah.  The  Roman 
Catholic  Church  has  missionaries  throughout 
the  country. 

62.  ITow  are  the  women  reached? 

They  are  visited  in  their  homes,  and  Bible 
readings  and  prayer  meetings  are  held  fre- 
quently in  the  mission  houses  and  village 

chapels. 

63.  Is  it  difficult  for  them  to  learn  ? 

“From  their  manner  of  rearing  women  in  the 
East,  they  have  not  the  intelligence  of  an 
American  girl  of  ten  years.  And  they  are  so 
unaccustomed  to  application  of  thought,  that 
all  instruction  must  he  of  the  simplest  character, 
and  with  the  most  wearisome  repetition,  and 
then  much  will  be  seed  sown  by  the  wayside. 
The  missionary  teacher  is  often  at  her  wits  end 
to  know  how  to  illustrate  a truth  or  clinch  an 
argument.  Any  appeal  to  common  scientific 
truths,  facts  of  history,  of  experience  of  illus- 
trious persons  is  useless,  for  science,  historj  and 
biography  are  all  unknown,  while  on  their  part 
they  will  offer  tales  more  absurd  than  those  of 
the  Arabian  Nights,  as  facts  not  to  be  gain- 
say ed.” 


26 


G4.  What  has  been  accomplished  by  Presby- 
terian Missions  in  Persia? 

Schools  have  been  established  for  boys  and 
girls  in  which  native  teachers  and  preachers 
have  been  trained.  The  printing  press  has  been 
introduced  and  school  books,  religious  books 
and  tracts  printed  in  the  language  of  the  people, 
and  distributed  among  them.  Through  the 
Christian  physician,  hundreds  receive  medical 
treatment.  Sunday-schools  have  been  organ- 
ized and  hundreds  of  converts  have  been  bap- 
tized and  received  into  the  church. 

05.  Which  sect  is  most  accessible  to  mission 
work? 

The  Nestorians  are  the  people  to  whom  the 
Gospel  is  preached  more  fully  than  to  any  other 
on  the  field.  Over  2000  Nestorian  boys  and 
girls  are  taught  in  the  schools.  Mission  work 
now  embraces  nearly  all  the  Nestorian  villages 
and  hamlets  of  Oroomiah.  In  very  many  of 
these  villages  the  Roman  Catholics  have  also 
opened  schools  and  places  of  worship  and  offer 
many  inducements  to  the  people  to  follow  them. 

06.  What  have  been  some  of  the  marked  fea- 
tures in  the  early  history  of  the  missionary  work 
in  Persia? 

The  very  great  prominence  given  to  Bible  in- 
struction, and  the  honor  God  has  put  upon  Ilis 
own  word  in  Pentecostal  revivals  which  have 


27 


been  a wonder  and  inspiration  to  Christians 
everywhere. 

67.  Are  the  Persian  Christians  subjected  to 
persecution  for  professing  their  faith  in  Christ? 

“The  absence  of  religious  toleration  in  Persia 
and  the  practical  difficulty  which  every  convert 
from  Islam  meets  in  the  matter  of  obtaining  an 
honest  living,  are  very  serious  obstacles  to  a pro- 
fession of  the  Christian  faith.  Within  the  past 
year  a converted  Mohammedan  and  an  Arme- 
nian in  circumstances  of  the  most  barbarous 
cruelty,  have  sealed  their  testimony  for  Jesus 
with  their  blood.” 

68.  Are  the  modern  methods  of  Christian 
organization  found  in  the  native  churches  and 
schools? 

For  some  years  the  native  Christian  women 
have  been  organized  into  “mite  societies,” 
working  for  the  redemption  of  the  world  with 
system,  liberality,  self-denial,  Bible  study  and 
prayer.  The  Christian  Associations  and  the 
Christian  Endeavor  Societies  are  proving  help- 
ful to  the  young  people  in  the  schools  and 
colleges.  The  systematic  training  obtained  in 
these  organizations  will  no  doubt  show  good 
results  in  the  future  Christian  work  of  the  Per- 
sians. 


28 


“HOW  THEY  SAY  IT.’ 


There  are  ns  many  languages  in  Persia  as 
there  are  nations.  “Persians  generally  speak 
Persian  and  Turkish  ; the  former  is  the  court 
and  the  latter  the  business  language.  The  Per- 
sian is  a language  rich  in  idioms  and  tones.” 
Our  missionaries  generally  need  to  understand 
two  languages,  and  it  is  often  a great  hindrance 
to  missionary  work  not  to  be  able  to  speak  three 
or  four.  Those  in  Teheran  and  Ilamadan  use 
the  Armenian  and  Persian ; in  Salmas  and 
Tabriz  the  Armenian  and  Turkish  ; in  Oroo- 
miali,  modern  Syriac  and  Turkish,  and  in  Mosul 
the  Syriac  and  Arabic.  “ A ” has  the  sound  of 
“Ah”  when  marked,  and  in  the  Persian  the 
accent  is  generally  on  the  last  syllable ; in 
Syriac  it  is  on  the  next  to  the  last  syllable. 
Armenian  is  read  from  left  to  right;  Turkish, 
Persian  and  Syriac  from  right  to  left. 


Geographical  Names. 


Persia. 

Salman. 

Tabriz. 


Ispahan. 

Mosul. 


Haft  Dewan. 
Ilamadan. 


Oroomiah. 


Pronunciation. 
ITaft- Dewan* 
Ham-a  dau. 
Ispahan. 

M6  sool. 
O-roo-me  ah. 
Per-shi  a. 
Sal-mas. 
Tab-recz. 


29 


Pronunciation. 

Teheran.  Tay-e-r&n. 

Tiary.  Tee-a-ry. 

Coins  and  their  Value. 

Toman — about  $1.50. 

Kran — (Fifteen  cents)  10  Kran  in  a Toman. 
Pen-na-bad — Half  a Kran. 

Sha-hee — (Copper  coin  worth  about  4 ot  a 
;ent)  20  Shahee  in  a Kran. 


Weights. 

Man.  or  Bat'- a term  for  several  different 

weights,  6*.  7 and  34  pounds. 

Char  ak—n  quarter  of  some  larger  weig  it. 
Dirahm  (dr  a m)— nearly  a pound. 


Measures. 


Znr  (Zare)— usually  30  inches.  _ 

Ar-sheen—  27  inches,  and  sometimes  42  inches. 


Distances. 

Farsan g — equal  to  throe  miles  in  some  places, 
but  longer  iu  other  places. 


Words  used  in  Missionary  Literature. 


Abba. 
Aboona. 
A glia. 


p-onvneiation. 

Cloak. 

A-boo-na.  Bishop. 

Landlord,  master  or 
Mr. 

Commander  of  army. 


Ameer -i- Nizam. 


30 


Pronunciation. 


Anderoon. 

An-de-roon. 

The  women’s  apart- 
ments in  a Turkish 
or  Persian  house. 

Barevs. 

Bar-evs. 

Salutations. 

Beg. 

A title  of  nobility  of 
lowest  degree. 

Berun. 

Bee-rune. 

Men’s  apartments. 

Bheestee. 

Water  carriers. 

Cajavaho. 

Boxes  slung  on  each  side 
of  a horse,  in  which 
passengers  are  carried. 

Chavadar. 

Char-va-dar.  Muleteer. 

Cnooshya. 

Cnoosh-ya. 

Presbytery  or  Assembly 

Ferangi. 

Fer-angee. 

Foreigner. 

Henna. 

Hen-na. 

Juice  from  a plant,  used 
to  stain  the  hair  and 
finger  tips. 

Injil. 

In-jeel. 

New  Testament. 

Kasha. 

Ka-sha. 

Pastor  or  priest. 

Ket-Khoda. 

# 

Head  man  of  a village. 

Khan. 

A titled  nobleman. 

Kokha.\ 

Head  mau  of  a village. 

Koormah. 

Meat  cooked  and  stored 
for  use. 

Koorsee. 

A low  table  placed  over 

a vessel  of  coals,  and 
spread  with  quilts, 
around  which  the  Per- 
sians sit  for  warmth. 


* Persian . 


t Syriac. 


31 


Pronunciation. 

Laclieeta*  Head  dress. 


Mar. 

Prefix  to  Bishop’s  name 
— lord. 

Mesta* 

Moharram. 

Curds. 

Month  of  mourning  among 
Persian  Mohammedans. 

Mongol. 

Mosul. 

Brazier  of  charcoal. 
The  city  from  which  comes 
the  word  muslin. 

Muezzin.  Mu  ez  zin.  Priest  who  gives  the 
call  for  prayer  three 
times  a day  from  the 
roof  of  the  mosque. 


Mullah. 
No  Ruz. 
Proofs. 
Rdbi. 
Rais,  f 
Ramazan. 

Teacher  or  priest. 

No-rooz.  Persian  New  Year’s  day. 
Protes.  Protestants. 

Ra-by.  Teacher. 

Ray  ees.  Head  man  of  a village. 

Ram-a-zan.  Month  of  Mohamme- 
den  fasting. 

Serparast. 

Sertib. 

Sub-governor. 
General  of  army. 

Shamdsha.  Sham-a-sha.  Deacon. 

ShaTi.  The  king  of  Persia.  . 


Sheikh. 

Chief  of  a tribe  or  village, 
and  also  a religious  chief. 

Su  Eauck.  Colonel. 

Tacht-ra-van.  A.  closed  or  curtained  con- 

veyance without  wheels, 

* Syriac.  t Turkish. 


32 


Pronunciation. 

with  poles  extending 
before  and  behind  like 
shafts,  by  which  it  is 
slung  on  horses’  backs. 

Yagoort.*  Curds,  a very  common 

article  of  diet. 

Salutat  ions. 

“ Salaam — a lai  Koom  ” (Persian  and  Turkish) 
“ Peace  to  you.” 

Shlama  tokh  (Syriac — masculine)  “Peace  to 

you.” 

Shlama  lakh  (Syriac — feminine)  “Peace  toyou.” 
Khoda  Hafiz — “God  keep  you.”  Persian  and 
Turkish  “farewell.” 

The  Persians  salute  one  another  with  the  riglit 
hand  raised  to  the  breast,  and  an  inclination  of 
the  body  more  or  less  profound,  as  the  person 
saluted  is  of  higher  or  lower  rank. 

St.  John,  3d  Chap.,  16th  verse. 

>'  \ji'  lyly?  U It; 

j'  ; J" A & lA  -6 


* Turkish. 


AFRICA. 

CHINA. 

CHINESE  IN  AMERICA. 
INDIA. 

JAPAN  AND  KOREA. 

MEXICO. 

NORTH  AMERICAN  INDIANS. 
PERSIA. 

SIAM  AND  LAOS. 

SOUTH  AMERICA. 

SYRIA. 


Five  Cents  Each. 

FIFTY  CENTS  PER  SET  OF  ELEVEN. 


Foreign  TWissionar \f  G^eohism. 
Two  Cents  Each.  Fifteen  Cents  per  Doz. 


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